Philippine Transportation Company (PhilTranCo) president and chief-executive-officer Manuel Sabban summed it all in three simple words: “Serious business losses.”
After more than a decade and century of commuter service, the oldest bus line in the country comes nearly to the ‘end-of-the-road’ with management’s decision to shut down its operations due to extreme financial difficulties.
In a letter to the company’s several hundred employees, dated February 2, 2026, Sabban announced they would cease operations effective on March 30 the current year.
“This, after 111 years,” one of the company’s drivers enthused in the vernacular with tears in his eyes. Requesting to be anonymous, he told this writer he had worked for PhilTranCo for the past 20 years or so.
“Driver din ang tatay ko rito at noong pumanaw siya, ako ang nagmana sa puwesto niya (My father was also a driver here and went he passed away, ay inherited his position),” he added.
His sadness that PhilTranCo’s operations was about to end reflected the long history of the bus company as its president aptly described the ups and downs in managing the firm.
“For years, we have fought an uphill battle to keep our wheels turning. However, due to serious business losses, we can no longer sustain our business operations,” Sabban cited.
He also saluted the company’s drivers, conductors, maintenance and office staff for their hard work and dedication.
“Philtranco is more than a bus line; it is a century long legacy built on your sweat and dedication,” he noted.
Started in 1914, Philtranco is known as the bus company with a nationwide public transport franchise, with 250 buses serving passengers across the country—from the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) to far-away Davao City in Mindanao and several other nationwide routes.
“We are not only the oldest bus operator in the Philippines but also in Asia,” Sabban pointed out with pride.
According to its website, which its Facebook profile photo has been changed to a darker shade—symbolizing its closure—Philtranco has over 100 destinations nationwide and 200 daily trips, as well as serving over a million “happy” passengers.
“We combine decades of experience with modern amenities to give you the best travel experience,” Philtranco’s website read.